Smooth Sumac

Biological Name:

Rhus glabra (Smooth-Sumac)

Natural Habitat:

Smooth-Sumac: This plant is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and along roadsides.

Description:

Smooth-Sumac also known as Rhus is a plant that is native to forested and riparian areas of North America. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall and it has large compound leaves and small green or yellow flowers that bloom in the spring. The plant is known for its smooth hairless bark and it is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is smooth sumac poisonous?
A: Species with red berries, including smooth and fragrant sumac, produce edible berries, while species with white berries, including poison ivy, have poisonous berries.
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Q: Is sumac good for anything?
A: Sumac is rich in a variety of nutrients and antioxidant compounds. Early research suggests it may be beneficial for blood sugar control and relief of exercise-induced muscle pain. However, more research is needed. You’re likely to find sumac in the spice or supplement aisle of your local grocery store.
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Q: Is sumac poisonous to dogs?
A: Note that poison ivy, oak, and sumac are not toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. However, the plant oils should be removed from the pet’s coat to avoid transmission to humans in the home.
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Q: What’s the difference between smooth sumac and staghorn sumac?
A: Staghorn Sumac has leaves that have a hairy leaf stem and rachis, the stem that the leaflets are attached to. Smooth Sumac has none of the hair on the leaves.
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Q: Is smooth sumac invasive?
A: There are several species of sumac in Eastern North America, but they all have similar properties. The discussion here deals with smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), one of the most common and most invasive. Although sumac is native, it is highly invasive.
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Q: Should I remove sumac tree?
A: If sumac is intermingled with other non-target plants, mechanical removal may be preferred to chemical control. Sumac should be cut twice, once in July and once in August. Cutting at the appropriate time is crucial for effective control.
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Q: Where should you plant sumac?
A: Choose a location in full sun or partial shade. Staghorn sumac thrives in well-draining soil and disturbed soil in areas like old fields and roadsides. In terms of climate, staghorn sumac survives in USDA plant hardiness zones three through eight.
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Q: Is sumac toxic to dogs?
A: Note that poison ivy, oak, and sumac are not toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. However, the plant oils should be removed from the pet’s coat to avoid transmission to humans in the home.
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Q: How do you control smooth sumac?
A: Many herbicides are very effective against smooth sumac. They can be applied to the foliage, stem bases, or to the soil. Approved herbicides include 2,4-D, Crossbow, Spike, Tordon, and Velpar¹. All are effective on a range of broadleaf plants, but are likely to damage desirable forbs.
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Q: Are sumac trees good for anything?
A: Sumac is rich in a variety of nutrients and antioxidant compounds. Early research suggests it may be beneficial for blood sugar control and relief of exercise-induced muscle pain. However, more research is needed. You’re likely to find sumac in the spice or supplement aisle of your local grocery store.
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Q: Can you get a rash from smooth sumac?
A: Avoid areas where poisonous plants grow Poison ivy, oak, and sumac all contain an oil called urushiol (yur-oo-shee-aal). If you have an allergic reaction to this oil, you can develop a rash. Because most people are allergic to this oil, just about everyone who comes into contact with it develops a rash.
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Q: What is smooth sumac used for?
A: Parts of smooth sumac have been used by various Native American tribes as an antiemetic, antidiarrheal, antihemorrhagic, blister treatment, cold remedy, emetic, mouthwash, asthma treatment, tuberculosis remedy, sore throat treatment, ear medicine, eye medicine, astringent, heart medicine, venereal aid, ulcer treatment, …
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Q: Is sumac anti-inflammatory?
A: Various scientific studies demonstrated that Sumac had a free oxygen radical-scavenging effect, a protective effect against liver damage, antihemolytic, leukopenia, and antifibrogenic effects, along with its antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
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Q: Does Smooth sumac cause a rash?
A: Avoid areas where poisonous plants grow Poison ivy, oak, and sumac all contain an oil called urushiol (yur-oo-shee-aal). If you have an allergic reaction to this oil, you can develop a rash. Because most people are allergic to this oil, just about everyone who comes into contact with it develops a rash.
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Q: Is sumac poisonous to humans?
A: All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. Some people are more sensitive to the plants and will have harsher symptoms.
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Q: What are the health benefits of sumac?
A: Sumac is rich in several antioxidants Like many herbs and spices, sumac is a source of several antioxidants. These are compounds which help the body fight off free radicals which can cause oxidative stress and ultimately lead to cell damage.
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Q: Is sumac poisonous or is it a spice?
A: Sumac is a spice that is popular in the Middle East. It is related to the poisonous shrub by the same name, but the culinary variety is safe to use and easily identifiable by its vibrant red berries (poisonous sumac is white).
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Q: Is sumac a Superfood?
A: Meet Sumac, the Superfood Spice That’ll Help You Fight Inflammation—and Bland Food—for Good.
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Q: Is smooth sumac the same as poison sumac?
A: The fruits are generally red. Smooth sumac has smooth stems, like poison sumac. However, its berries grow in dense clustered spikes rather than the looser arrangement found in poison sumac. Shining sumac is easily identified by its grooved stems between the leaflets.
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Q: How do you remove smooth sumac?
A: Sumac should be cut twice, once in July and once in August. Cutting at the appropriate time is crucial for effective control. Double-cutting (once in July and once in August) may need to be repeated for several consecutive years to achieve effective control in dense populations.
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Q: Is sumac poisonous to touch?
A: Skin contact with the oil of a poison sumac plant causes an allergic skin reaction known as contact dermatitis. All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks.
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Q: Is poison sumac worse than poison ivy?
A: Poison sumac is considered the “most toxic plant in the country.” However, on a positive note, it’s also much rarer than the others. It only grows in super wet areas, like bogs or swamps. Just like poison ivy, sumac also contains urushiol. That means it causes the same reaction as poison ivy — an itchy rash.
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Q: What type of sumac is poisonous?
A: Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is a native plant that grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs. Every part of the plant contains an oil that inflames skin and results in painfully itchy blisters and rashes.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.